Portsmouth South MP Stephen Morgan promoted to Labour's shadow armed forces minister

It is the MP’s third role as a shadow minister since he was elected in 2017, having served as communities and local government shadow minister from July 2019 before becoming defence procurement shadow minister this year.

Portsmouth-born Mr Morgan said he will be ‘challenging hard’ the government should it fall short in its treatment of the country’s 190,000 armed forces personnel.

He said: ‘I am hugely proud of our nation’s armed forces and the role Britain’s highly skilled workforce play in supporting them.

‘It is a privilege to be asked, and accept, an opportunity to serve in Keir Starmer’s top team.

‘I look forward to working alongside the newly appointed shadow defence Secretary John Healey, and colleagues, being a strong national voice for our armed forces and challenging hard on the opposition frontbench on behalf of service personnel and the British public when the Government falls short.’

The 38-year-old would be a ‘major asset’ on the party’s front bench, according to shadow defence secretary John Healey.

The MP for Wentworth and Dearne said: ‘I’m delighted Stephen is part of Labour’s new shadow defence team. He’s a proven national voice on defence matters with a track record of holding the Government to account on behalf of our armed forces.

‘He’ll be a major asset to our front bench team.’

The role follows the Portsmouth South MP’s participation in the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme, a private scheme to provide MPs with first-hand insight into the workings of the armed forces, and his highlighting of veteran suicides nationwide.

He said it was his grandfather, a Second World War veteran, who inspired him to enter politics: ‘My Portsmouth-born grandfather, who played such an active part in the Royal Army Service Corp for the D-Day landings, was one of the main reasons I was inspired to get into politics.

‘I want to make sure that those who bravely serve our nation are recognised and valued by society.’

He also recognised the work of more than 2,680 armed forces members tackling the coronavirus crisis.

He added: ‘For the tasks they are set to do for our nation as times get tough, I am hugely grateful.’